For the first time in more than two months, Colton Cowser will be roaming the outfield for the Orioles as they open a West Coast trip in Seattle on Tuesday night.
Baltimore has officially activated the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year runner-up from the 60-day injured list after a six-game rehab assignment that was split between Triple-A Norfolk and High-A Aberdeen. Cowser, 25, fractured his left thumb sliding headfirst into first base in the March 30 finale of the season-opening series in Toronto. In 24 plate appearances during his rehab assignment, Cowser went 8-for-20 with four doubles, a homer, four walks, and six strikeouts.
To make room on the active roster, utility player Cooper Hummel was designated for assignment.
The lefty-swinging Cowser served as the leadoff hitter in each of the first four games of the 2025 season, going 2-for-16 with a home run, a walk, and six strikeouts. However, with second baseman Jackson Holliday settling into the leadoff spot in recent weeks, one would think interim manager Tony Mansolino will hit Cowser a little lower in the order as he sees his first major league action in more than two months. With Cedric Mullins currently on the 10-day IL with a hamstring strain, Cowser is likely to see plenty of time in center field, a spot infielder Jorge Mateo has been manning in recent games. Though primarily Baltimore’s left fielder last season, Cowser made 36 starts in center.
The return caps a frustrating eight months for Cowser, who fractured his left hand in the season-ending playoff loss to Kansas City last October. In 153 games last season, Cowser batted .242 with 24 homers, 69 RBIs, and a .768 on-base plus slugging percentage.
